Hi there,
Currently seeking ideas for locking an attic hatch. Tenants in other units are accessing units from above. We are looking to create some sort of latching system from inside so that they cannot lift it from above. However we do not want a key access from below as that will not suite fire code.
Any ideas would be great we are trying to keep it inexpensive yet still look somewhat appealing.
thanks
Replies
deadbolt
dont you need a firewall in the attic
Can you hinge one side and put one or two barrel bolts on the opposite side? With 3/4" plywood that would be inconvenient to break into. Or just put barrel bolts on 4 sides and keep it a lift-out unit.
Better tenants are in order, too.
Bill
I'm with Brownbag - Where the hell are the fire walls in a multi unit building ???
The easiest thing is what I call the "Ft. Apache" lock. I'm sure you've seen the western movies, where the Indians are attacking, and the settlers place a large timber across the inside of the door, where it sets in brackets attached to the door, and keep it from being opened?
Whether made from a piece of wood, with a spacer to clear the hatch trim ... or a metal strap bent at the ends for the same reason ... the piece would be mounted with a single large bolt in the center of the hatch. With the appropriate washers and nuts, the bolt would not be able to be dismantled from above - and the hatch would remain secured. The occupant, though, would need only rotate the piece and the hatch could be opened.
I agree with the others, though ... there needs to be partitions in that attic. Though, with the criminal mindset, the crooks would likely start trashing them. Indeed, the crooks may actually be offended at your efforts to interfere with their 'right' to prey upon their neighbors.
Ultimately, the bums have to leave - preferably in handcuffs. If you haven't involved the police yet, do so! If nothing else, armed with an opinion from them that entries are originating in a certain unit, you can then get an emergency "safety" eviction - something that takes days, not weeks.
As for making a partition ... I have the same issue in my place - a small duplex, built in 1940. Originally, only the other half had attic access. As I remodel, it was convenient to have my own hatch. Now I desire fire / entry protection between our halves.
I intend to first glue and screw 1/2 plywood to the truss that divides the halves. As I do this, I will place 1" foam insulation between the truss members, for insulation. Finally, I will face the plywood with 5/8 drywall to make the partition fire-rated.
Perhaps a simpler method might be to hang the drywall, then face it with a stout wire mesh. That would interfere with attempts to kick through the wall - a method I have had some luck with in storage spaces.